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Tag: Akeredolu

  • Osinbajo, Akeredolu, Fayemi grace OPC founder’s funeral

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday attended the funeral of late Dr Frederick Fasehun, the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress(OPC) at the Cathedral Church of Saint Stephen, Oke-Aluko, Ondo, Ondo State.

    The OPC chieftain passed on Dec. 1 at the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja (LASUTH).

    Osinbajo was accompanied to the service by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, among others.

    Former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko was also in attendance.

    In his tribute, Osinbajo said it was a great honour to be at the service to express his own condolence on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Government of Nigeria.

    He said that Fasehun was exceptional in everything he did as he was medical doctor, a sociologist as well as a versatile acupuncturist.

    “He studied acupuncture in 1977; and set up the very first acupuncture centre in Africa at LASUTH.

    “ He was such a brilliant medical doctor; one would have thought that he would just restrict himself to practice of medicine.

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    “Of course, many of us know he was the proprietor of Bestcare Hospital, which catered for the poor; so many people were able to receive medical attention.

    “But beyond that, I think that what he will always be remembered for is what he did with the OPC; of course, many of us know about the struggle.

    “He was not really a politician; his first interaction that we know within the democratic struggle was when he founded the Movement for Social and Economic Justice.’’

    Osinbajo said that when the deceased founded the OPC, he decided that it was not enough for the Yoruba people to be recongnised for their industry and for their enterprise, but to seek beyond that.

    He said that the first set of members of OPC were artisans, who Fasehun taught excellence and integrity and also at the same time, teaching them democratic principles and activism.

    The vice president said that he was happy that Fasehun lived a good life and knew God.

    In his tribute, Akeredolu said that Fasehun would be remembered for excellence and for championing the cause of the Yoruba nation.

    Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the Archbishop of Abuja Province and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, prayed God to comfort the family of the deceased and all he left behind.

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    Okoh, whose message was read by the Most Rev. Gabriel Akinbiyi, Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of Ondo and Lord Bishop, Diocese of Akoko, also prayed God to give Fasehun’s family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    In his sermon, Akinbiyi said that from the tributes from family members and friends, it was evident that he impacted on lives.

    He said that Fasehun remained faithful and committed to serving God in spite the post he held.

    The bishop prayed that God would give Nigeria a leader after God’s heart as the “nation goes for elections.’’

    He said that one of the lessons from Fasehun’s life was that one could face trials and difficulties and still maintain standard.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also sent a condolence message.

  • Fayemi, Akeredolu, Otudeko, other bigwigs storm Ibadan for Akanni-Aluko’s daughter’s wedding

    Political and business heavyweights from across the country turned up in style in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, recently to be the guests of business mogul,Chief Emmanuel Akanni-Aluko and Mr.Adegbenro Adegbola,  on the occasion of their children’s wedding on Wednesday.

    Joined in holy wedlock were Mary Adewumi ,daughter of Chief Aluko,Publisher of the defunct Third Eye newspapers ,and Olukayode Opeyemi,son of Mr.Adegbenro Adegbola.

    The  Catholic Church of the Ascension, Bodija ,Ibadan, where the first leg of the wedding took place,and Daylan Events Centre,venue of the wedding reception, oozed with class as the gorgeously  dressed   guests began arriving one after the other.

    The guests included  Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and   Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State;the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , Chief   Folake Solanke; former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Iyiola Oladokun; Dr. Wale Babalakin,  Dr. Oba Otudeko, Alhaja Bose Adedibu (widow of the  late Ibadan politician, Chief Lamidi Adedibu); father of the Ooni of Ife , Prince John Oluropo Ogunwusi  and his Olori, Margaret Ogunwusi, and Speaker of the  Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Suraju Adekunbi.

    Also  present were the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Odude;  Justice Iyabo Yerima,  Justice Moji Olatoregun , Justice Tokunbo Majekodumi,  Chief Perry Aluko, Architect Ola Seriki , Sir and Lady Lana Odutola, Mrs Olaide Amole , a former first lady of Oyo State Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja , Dr. Tony Marinho , Alhaja Adebisi Yusuf , Alhaja Alawi , Sir Peter Aliu , Professor and Mrs  Solomon Kadiri , Professor and Mrs Tunde Salako, former editor of the  Nigeria Tribune, Mr Folu Olamiti; Akogun  Lekan Alabi, veteran journalists  Tunde Akingbade, Ayo Akinyemi and  Sanni Agboola.

    The rest were  Dr. Taiwo Ade , Dr. Tunde Adegbola, Mr. Akin Adegbola, Dr. Kemi Fadipe, Mrs. Doyin Awofisayo, Ambassador Ronke Adefowope, Sooko Adetunji Ogunwusi,  Mrs Herieta Adedoyin Ige, Mrs Bisi Ojo, Chief Ibironke Inaolaji , Chief Victoria Adesida , Prince and Mrs Bolatito Aderemi, and  Alhaja Jemilat Salami, among others.

    The Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese , the Most Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin, counselled the new couple to put God first in all they do.

    “If you play your part, God does not fail,” he said.

    “There is reward for fidelity. Do your part, and with prayer and dedication, God will do the rest.  Build your house on a solid rock. This marriage shall be a source of peace , happiness , faith and grace of God. ”

    An elated Chief Aluko was full of praises to God that all went well on the day.

    “I’m  very happy and my heart is full of joy,” he said.

    “More importantly, I’m  full of joy, and thankful to God Almighty that I’m  alive to witness this occasion.

    “As a stroke patient for 19 years, God still gave me His full grace to witness this wonderful occasion . I have every cause to thank the Almighty God .

    “Our wishes for the new couple are to live happily together; to be role models for other youths coming up; to live a well-planned, great life and to have children.”

    The groom’s father, Mr.  Adegbenro Adegbola,was similarly grateful to God for the ‘wonderful event.’

    He wished the couple  “everything that is necessary for a good life . I wish them the blessing of children, both male and female, and every material blessing, as well as spiritual blessing .”

    The chairman of the reception event, Dr. Oba Otudeko, in his remarks, advised the couple to always learn from the examples set by their parents in  marital life. He charged them to always take their problems to God in prayers.

  • Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Akeredolu urges support for dependants of fallen heroes

    In commemoration of the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration,Governor  Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State yesterday announced a grant of N100,000.00 to each of the widows of soldiers from the Owena Cantonment in Akure who lost their lives in the war against  Boko Haram .

    Governor Akeredolu said there was nothing too good or too much that could be done to replace the precious lives lost or remedy the deprivations and untold hardship suffered by the dependants of the fallen heroes.

    The governor spoke during the launch of the Emblem Appeal for the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Ondo State, held in  Akure.

    He enjoined the society to always give financial and material support to the dependants of the fallen heroes, so that those still alive and serving would be encouraged to give their best in the service of their fatherland.

    Governor Akeredolu promised that his administration would  continue to work with government, non-governmental organisations, officers and men of the armed forces and the Nigerian Legion to ensure an improved welfare for legionnaires, widows and dependants of departed ones in the State.

    The Governor said “ Government at all levels has been laying emphasis on the celebration to continually recognise the selfless and sacrificial services of our fallen heroes who had laid down their lives in wars and peace keeping efforts around the world, and those currently serving, day and night to guarantee the peace and unity of the nation.

    “Special recognition and appreciation must be accorded our gallant soldiers who had been involved in the war against Boko-Haram and had paid the supreme price in the process.  The current daring posture of the enemy which has cost us the lives of many of our gallant soldiers, to say the least, is condemnable.

    “Without the sacrifice and commitment of these officers and men of the Armed Forces, it is a matter of time before the whole country is overrun.  God forbid. This apart, it is the sustained effort of these officers and men that has kept at bay the herdsmen and farmers’ crises, kidnapping, armed robbery and unpatriotic agitations confronting the country.

    The Chairman of the state branch of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Olu Apara  (retd) said the launch was aimed at raising funds for widows and dependants of fallen heroes and war veterans.

  • Akeredolu pledges support for security agencies

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday kick-started a military operation, code-named: Exercise Egwu Eke III.

    The exercise started yesterday and is expected to end on February 24.

    The ceremony, which held in Owo, Owo Local Government Area, was attended by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) for 2 Division, Maj.-Gen. Okwudili Azinta and the Brigade Commander of 32 Artillery, Brig.-Gen. James Ataguba, heads of other security agencies and members of the State Executive Council (Exco).

    Akeredolu pledged to continue to support the security agencies within the available resources, in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, adding that his administration was aware that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere devoid of peace.

    While explaining that his administration had earlier donated some vehicles to the state command of the Nigeria Police, Governor Akeredolu said more efforts are being made to procure more patrol vehicles and necessary equipment for the security agencies in the state as part of the contributions to effective and efficient security coverage of the state.

    The Governor, who appreciated the military and other security agencies in the state for their cooperation and efforts so far, urged the officers and men of the Nigerian Army that will be participating in the exercise to observe the rules of engagement and code of conduct to avoid any action that may infringe on the rights of the public, especially the hosting communities.

    He expressed hope that the exercise will assist greatly in flushing out all criminal elements within the nooks and crannies of the State from their hideouts to give it the deserved peace and tranquillity required for social and economic development.

    He said: “It is my pleasure again today to witness another important effort of the Nigerian Army in ensuring the security of lives and property in Ondo State with the flag off ceremony of Exercise Egwu Eke III.

    “I am made to understand that this is an internal security exercise that will be conducted on both land and water with a view to checkmating the diverse security challenges prevalent in the Southern region of the country, including militancy, vandalism of Oil and Gas Infrastructure, Piracy, Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Cultism and illegal Bunkering, among others.

    “I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the Nigerian Army is capable of flushing out the criminal elements among us, with the recent achievement in the ongoing internal security operations in the State embarked upon by the officers and men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure.

    “We, therefore, attach a great importance to the issue of security in all parts of the State. We have of recent, witnessed an upsurge in criminalities especially kidnapping, cultism and army robbery. However, I am happy to state that with the combined efforts of all the security agencies in the state, substantial arrests have been made.  All those found culpable will be charged to court and prosecuted accordingly to serve as deterrent to others. We are not going to relent until the state is rid of people with criminal tendencies. “

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) Azinta said there is no hiding place for kidnappers and criminals in Ondo State.

    He said the choice of Ondo State for the exercise was to assure the good people of the state that there will be no hiding place for criminals and kidnappers who have threatened the peace of the state recently.

  • Akeredolu: we’ve been fulfilling our promise not to owe salaries

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said his administration had kept to the promise of improved workers’ welfare and prompt payment of salaries.

    The governor recalled that on assumption of office, he promised the workforce that he would not owe workers’ salary, adding that his administration had kept the promise.

    Akeredolu spoke yesterday, the first working day of the year, at the annual prayer meeting with civil servants in Akure, the state capital.

    The governor said his administration would balance its duty to the people and the civil servants. He advised the civil servants to rededicate themselves to the service of the state for optimum performance.

    Akeredolu, who said the government cannot record any success without the bureaucracy, thanked the civil servants for their cooperation with his administration.

    According to him, government will re-engineer the civil service to place it on the right track for better performance.

    He said: “When I came into office, I made a promise that we would not owe workers’ salary, and we have not owed.

    “Yes, salary is a right. Even though you have been denied before, we will not deny you the right of your salary. We have a responsibility to the people of the state and the civil servants. We will try and balance it.

    “We are determined to see what we can do and do our best for the state. But there is no way we can be successful without the bureaucracy. I must say we have enjoyed the cooperation of the civil servants.

    “If you have complaints, please, complain. Complaint is part of the burden of leadership. I want to tell you that I am ready to accept it because Moses suffered the same fate. At the end of the day, we will all smile.

    “Let us rededicate ourselves to the service of the state. There are lots that can still be done. We will re-engineer our civil service, but not by retrenching people. Reorientation of the civil servant and re-engineering the service is a task that must be achieved.”

     

     

  • Akeredolu presents N190b budget

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday presented a budget estimate of N190.2 billion to the House of Assembly.

    Twenty-three of the 26 lawmakers were present when the governor presented the Appropriation Bill for approval and passage to the Assembly.

    The Economic sector got the lion’s share of N92.46 billion.

    In the budget proposal, named: Budget of Advancement, N87 billion was allocated to capital expenditure, while N82 billion was for recurrent expenditure.

    Debt payment is expected to gulp N10.4 billion.

    Akeredolu, who highlighted the achievements of his administration in 2018, pledged the determination of the government to ensure that this year’s budget is fully implemented.

    According to him, the general welfare of the people of the state was considered in preparing the budget.

    The breakdown of the budget shows that the Economic sector was allocated N92.46 billion; the Social sector got N58.41 billion and Regional sector was allocated N7.1 billion.

    The governor said the Administration sector is expected to take N28.83 billion, while Law and Justice was allocated N3.25 billion.

    Akeredolu said the 2019 budget was prepared on the projections of the 2019-2021 medium-term expenditure framework.

    He added that the framework is among the statutory provisions of the state’s Fiscal Responsibility Law (FRL), which the Assembly passed in 2017.

    According to him, this year’s budget is the second his administration prepared with a view to consolidating and building on feats achieved in 2018.

    The governor said bitumen exploitation would begin this year, adding that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the deal had been signed with relevant stakeholders.

    Akeredolu assured the residents that his administration would place great emphasis on capital projects this fiscal year for the benefit of the people.

    This, he said, would attract investors, while the state would enjoy lots of values, if properly developed.

    The governor said the state is blessed with abundant mineral resources, which would provide more jobs for the teeming youths.

    Akeredolu regretted that all state-owned industries were dead and could no longer be revived by his administration.

    He said the state would use the coastline, which he described as the longest in the country, to attract investors.

    House of Assembly Speaker Bamidele Oleyelogun lauded the efforts of the governor at developing the state.

    He noted that since the present administration came on board, the state had witnessed unprecedented development.

    The Speaker said the cordial and harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government was the result of Akeredolu’s efforts and his respect for the rule of law.

  • Akeredolu pardons 12 prisoners

    Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Monday pardoned 12 prisoners who have served various terms of their imprisonment and ordered their release from the prison custody.

    This is in exercise of the power conferred on him by section 212(1) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria

    Akeredolu asked the beneficiaries of the gesture to always shun acts that could likely return them to the prison.

    The governor also extended his grace and mercy to three condemned/ convicted prisoners who are awaiting execution.

    Akeredolu commuted their death sentence to life imprisonment.

    He exercised the power in the spirit of the 2019 New Year celebration.

  • Ondo Poly pensioners urge Akeredolu to tackle insecurity

    Retired workers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO) in Owo, Ondo State, have expressed misgivings about the abduction of their colleagues by gunmen.

    They urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to find a lasting solution to the menace, which they said have hindered the peace of the state.

    A statement by the former workers’ Secretary Tunde Ayegbusi and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Phillip Oyegoke noted that barely a week after a polytechnic worker was abducted and killed, another RUGIPO senior lecturer was seized by some hoodlums.

    They described the situation as worrisome.

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    But former polytechnic workers said the incident was not targeted at only the institution.

    The statement reads: “The situation at RUGIPO was not targeted at the institution alone but a national problem; it is left for Ondo State to tackle the problem headlong.

    “We members of this association are solidly behind the management of the institution; we have jointly worked assiduously to bring the institution to this enviable height. We do not want bad elements to destroy it.

    “As retired workers, our lives depend on the gratuity and pensions we receive from the institution from time to time. Many of our children and relations are beneficiaries of the citadel of learning.

    They condoled with the polytechnic community on the death of Akinyemi Taiwo and felicitated with the family of Mr and Mrs Olopete, who were released from kidnappers’ den.

  • Ondo APC hails Akeredolu over workers’ welfare

    The Ondo State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lauded  Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) for his unwavering commitment to workers’ welfare.

    The party also hailed the  efforts of the governor at ensuring that kidnappings and other crimes are nipped in the bud.

    A statement yesterday in Akure, the state capital, by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, reads: “It is ordinarily an unthinkable thing for a government with a lean purse to adhere to prompt payment of salaries, and strive to offset all the backlog of salaries and pensions.

    “It is equally unfathomable to the opposition, which plunged the state into huge debts before this administration, that Governor Akeredolu could also effect promotion of civil servants, besides regular payment of salaries and wages.

    This, in no small measure, gladdens the heart of the work force that is currently in love with and prays for the administration consistently.

    “Contrary to the position of the opposition, the administration seeks better and secured living situations for the good and peace-loving people of Ondo State.

    “While it is unethical to discuss security measures in the open, suffice it to say that the recent comprehensive meetings with the major stakeholders are geared towards a kidnapping-free state.

    “The leader of the party in the state, and governor, would not be distracted by idle and arm-chair publicity pretenders and critics from his mission and commitment to a safe and prosperous Ondo State.

    “We urge all those playing politics with the security and peace of the state to desist forthwith and join hands with the governor to implement to the fullest his laudable plans for the state.”

     

  • Akeredolu presents vehicles to Ondo lawmakers

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has given members of the House of Assembly brand new vehicles for easy mobility in their oversight functions.

    The lawmakers in the current Assembly were elected in 2015 and had been facing mobility problem.

    Majority of them relied on their personal cars to perform their legislative duties and few used commercial motorbikes, popularly called Okada to attend parliamentary sessions.

    Akeredolu presented the official vehicles to the lawmakers yesterday at the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital.

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    The governor said his administration had fulfilled the promise it made on assumption of office that it would provide official vehicles to the lawmakers.

    He stressed that acquiring the vehicles was delayed due to logistics and other arrangements involved.

    “It doesn’t matter whether you are leaving or not. The fact is that you deserve to have these cars. When we came in, we promised that we would buy these vehicles. Today, we have fulfilled this promise,” Akeredolu said.

    On behalf of the lawmakers, Speaker Bamidele Oleyelogun thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise.

    He said the lawmakers would remain grateful to his administration for its commitment to their welfare.